This is the leading work on forensic medicine and the law in the UK. Written by a team of leading legal practitioners, pathologists and other experts, this Seventh Edition has been fully revised to bring it up to date with the latest legal, medical and scientific developments. It is the only book directed at both the legal practitioner and the expert medical witness. It provides unique commentary on the law in all three UK jurisdictions: England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. It guides experts on their role and duties to the courts and highlights areas of current scientific and legal controversy with additional reference sources. In addition to two new chapters on forensic psychiatry and forensic science, the Seventh Edition includes updates and new material on: - Introduction to medicine, the systems of the body and autopsy procedure - Forensic medicine covering assaults, firearms, head injuries, road traffic collisions, falls, asphyxia, drowning, hypothermia, and heat and electricity - Sexual offences, deaths in detention, forensic odontology and toxicology - Guidance for the expert medical witness on giving evidence in the UK courts, covering the UK’s criminal justice systems, coroners’ courts and fatal accident inquiries This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Personal Injury Law online service.